Chautauqua Lake’s Maytum bumped up to state golf tournament

June 1, 2017

When Kole Maytum missed a 15-foot putt for par at the Section VI golf state qualifier earlier this month, he thought he would have to put his dream of playing in the state championships on hold for another year.

Last week, the Chautauqua Lake junior learned that would not be the case.

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Submitted?Photo Pictured from left are new state alternate Lewis Markham and Section VI team member Kole Maytum.

Once the alternate for the state championships, Maytum will now be playing alongside his Section VI teammates next weekend at Robert Trent Jones Golf Course at Cornell University after Niagara Frontier League co-medalist Matt Pawlak of Niagara-Wheatfield withdrew last week.

"I was going to my last block class. Coach (Steve) Johnston pulled me out and asked if I wanted to go to states," Maytum said Sunday evening. "I was kind of in shock. I had no idea. It was kind of a down day. I was still thinking about sectionals."

At the state qualifier May 15 at Gowanda Country Club, Maytum fired matching 40s on the front and back nines before slipping to 42 on his third round of nine. That left him in a tie with East Aurora/Holland sophomore Matt Jaffe and one shot ahead of Forestville's Lewis Markham. Maytum ended up losing a sudden-death playoff hole by one stroke to Jaffe.

"I would still rather get in myself. I made a birdie on the 27th hole to get into that playoff so it might have been different if I hadn't made that putt," Maytum said. "We both hit bad second shots and had about 15 feet for par. I missed mine and then he ended up making his."

Maytum credits his dad, Kevin, Chautauqua Golf Club pro Troy Moss and Shorewood Country Club pro Brad Smith with getting him to the point where he can compete a the state level.

"My dad has always been a huge help. He got me into the game," Maytum said. "Troy Moss helps me now and then, and I take lessons with Brad Smith at Shorewood. I've been with him since the start of my freshman year. He's helped me a lot to get my swing where it needs to be. He's a big reason why I'm going now."

Maytum will travel with Chautauqua Lake coach Steve Johnston to Ithaca early Friday before playing practice rounds with his Section VI teammates later Friday and Saturday. The state competition will be Sunday and Monday.

Ellicottville sent a pair of golfers to the state championship last year, but Maytum will be the first to represent Chautauqua County since 2015 when Chautauqua Lake's Cody Latimer qualified and finished in a tie for seventh.

"I have never been there. I got a lot of information from (Orchard Park) Coach Nate Leary and Cody Latimer - I talk to him quite a bit. I'm pretty well prepared going into the practice rounds where I'll get my own notes," Maytum said. "It's awesome. I was pretty close last year, but had a bad third nine.Chautauqua Lake's Maytum bumped up to state golf tournament

"I didn't have that much pressure from others, but I put a lot of pressure on myself. It's an honor to represent my school and to represent Section VI. We'll see what happens."